TIP THOSE MARQUISE!!!

Diamonds chip…

That’s a fact!

Especially if the diamond is thin, has a thin or no girdle, or is a diamond with tips or corners.

Diamonds that come to a corner or edge are vulnerable and break easier. Diamonds like: marquise, pear, heart, princess, trilliant, and baguette.

Like these diamonds here:

All of these stones need more protection and more coverage by the heads or mountings.

Take this marquise for example…

This lady sent me this picture below asking for advice on what to do. She had chipped the tip of her stone clean off… Take a peek:

The reason the diamond was chipped is easy, the points were totally open and easy to knock or hit.

Sadly, after the fact, there are only a few things that can be done:

1. Have the diamond recut
2. Trade the diamond in
3. Try to hide the chip or break
4. Leave it the way that it is

Let’s take a closer look…

1) Have the diamond recut

Diamonds that are damaged can be recut (as long as the fracture doesn’t run the full length of the stone). It can be sent to diamond cutters for a professional opinion (and may need to be sent loose; out of the mounting). And yes, it will remove some carat weight, that’s to be expected. The cutters will have to reshape the stone to the best shape possible (might not be the most desireable) and recreate the point again. It could remove 10% or more of the overall weight (which also means you’ll have to get a new appraisal on your ring, which could also cost money).

You can also take your diamond to a jewelry store, most independent jewelers can send diamonds out for recutting. That’s probably the simplest and easiest way to have it repaired. It won’t be cheap, and it won’t be quick either (probably at least 6 weeks upon approval).

2) Trade the diamond in

Chipped diamonds can be traded in… Most still hold some kind of value (although that value will be much lower). Jewelers will have to send the diamond to the cutters themselves so they can salvage and resell it later. Trading it in allows you to get another beautiful new diamond, maybe a different size or shape or quality, and they will set it into your existing mounting, or you can always trade the entire ring in for something new… Like that 3 carat diamond ring you’ve been eyeing! :)

Don’t you have an anniversary coming up?

3) Try to hide the chip or break

Some diamonds can be turned in the head or mounting to hide the chip. Some can be covered up by a prong or the head. Granted, if the chip is too large, or on the very ends (like this marquise diamond is), then there isn’t much that can be done. But often on round diamonds, a little nick can disappear and never be seen again.

4) Leave it the way that it is

Some people don’t have the money to trade in. Some can’t afford the price of recutting (could easily be hundreds). Some will just leave it the way it is and hope that one day in the future they’ll be able to do something special.

Either way, there is one thing you SHOULD do… Check with you insurance company. Some people have a rider that will cover jewelry damage, loss, theft, fire… It could cover the cost of getting a brand new diamond. It could replace your whole ring… Call your insurance agent today and see. You may be surprised!

Preventive medicine:

If you’re buying a new diamond ring, check the prongs on the diamonds. Make sure they are v-tipped if they have points or corners… As so:

Check the prongs on the solitaires or wedding sets you already own (not only for coverage, but for damage; cracks, bends, breaks, equal spacing). If your diamond has normal prongs covering the tips (rounded prongs), or no prongs at all (like the marquise above), then ask your jeweler for v-tips instead (prices will vary, and some can’t be done if they have built-in heads). V-tips are metal corners that cover both sides of the stone (as seen above). They provide secure walls that protect the most delicate part of the diamond from hits, bumps, or strikes.

Lastly, do get your diamond insured.

That’s the best advice I can give.

It’s a must!

Cheers! :)